Pagan was primarily a reliever, but was 0-5 lifetime in that role while going 4-4 in 18 starts. He was dealt to Baltimore from the Yankees along with Rick Dempsey, Scott McGregor, Tippy Martinez, and Rudy May for Ken Holtzman, Doyle Alexander, Grant Jackson, Ellie Hendricks, and pitcher Jimmy Freeman, one of the most unprofitable deals the Yankees ever made.